An Approach to the Automated Characterization of Out-of-Plane and In-Plane Local Defect Resonances.

The paper presents an approach to efficiently detect local defect resonances (LDRs) in solids with localized defects. The 3D scanning laser Doppler vibrometry (3D SLDV) technique is applied to acquire vibration responses on the surface of a test sample due to a broadband vibration excitation applied by a piezoceramic transducer and modal shaker. Based on the response signals and known excitation, the frequency characteristics for individual response points are determined. The proposed algorithm then processes these characteristics to extract both out-of-plane and in-plane LDRs. Identification is based on calculating the ratio between local vibration levels and the mean vibration level of the structure as a background. The proposed procedure is verified on simulated data obtained from finite element (FE) simulations and validated experimentally for an equivalent test scenario. The obtained results confirmed the effectiveness of the method in identifying in-plane and out-of-plane LDRs for both numerical and experimental data. The results of this study are important for damage detection techniques utilizing LDRs to enhance the efficiency of detection.

Effect of Distigmasterol-Modified Acylglycerols on the Fluidity and Phase Transition of Lipid Model Membranes.

Plant sterols are known for their health-promoting effects, lowering blood cholesterol levels and alleviating cardiovascular disease. In this work, we continue our research on the asymmetric acylglycerols in which fatty acid residues are replaced by two stigmasterol residues in sn-1 and sn-2 or sn-2 and sn-3 positions as new thermostable carriers of phytosterols for their potential application in foods or as components of new liposomes in the pharmaceutical industry. The aim of this manuscript was to compare and analyze the effects of four distigmasterol-modified acylglycerols (dStigMAs) on the fluidity and the main phase transition temperature of the model phospholipid membrane. Their properties were determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), steady-state fluorimetry and attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). The determination of the effect of the tested compounds on the mentioned physicochemical parameters of the model membranes will allow for the determination of their properties and stability, which is essential for their practical application. The results indicated that all compounds effect on the physicochemical properties of the model membrane. The degree of these changes depends on the structure of the compound, especially the type of linker by which stigmasterol is attached to the glycerol backbone, as well as on the type of hydrocarbon chain.